Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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432. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken by An Garda Síochána to ensure that section 37 of the Control of Horses Act 1996 is being properly enforced in order to deter horse owners from using canals, public fields and sides of roads to keep horses on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3441/18]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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433. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken by local authorities to ensure that section 37 of the Control of Horses Act 1996 is being properly enforced in order to deter horse owners from using canals, public fields and sides of roads to keep horses on; the funding which is provided for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3442/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 432 and 433 together.

The Control of Horses Act 1996 provides powers to Local Authorities to deal with stray and abandoned horses and for the designation by each Local Authority, via byelaws that are appropriate to the respective functional areas, of control areas in which horses cannot be kept without a licence.  Members of An Garda Síochána have also been assigned powers commensurate with those of Authorised Officers under the Act. Officials of my Department regularly assist the Local Authorities and An Garda Síochána in their operations where animals have been welfare compromised.

My Department provides financial assistance towards the expenses incurred by the Local Authorities in operation of the Act, namely in seizing straying horses or horses causing a danger to persons or property. Details of such funding for the period 2013 to 2017, as currently held by my Department, is provided in the following table.

Separately, my Department also provides funding for the development of new structures to provide shelter for the urban horse population with the aim of reducing the number of straying animals and encouraging young people in the care and welfare of horses.

My Department continues to stress that it is the responsibility of individuals to ensure the welfare of horses in their ownership and/or their care.

** These figures have not been finalised, based on latest available to DAFM.